Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh is being honoured with week-long celebrations to commemorate the 125th anniversary of his death. The post-impressionist painter was born in the Netherlands in 1853 and took his life in France at the age of 37.
Celebrations in Amsterdam include the replication of one of his most famous self-portraits comprised entirely of 50,000 dahlias. The Van Gogh Museum, also located in Amsterdam, released a “Van Gogh Atlas” depicting the journey the artist took from his home in Zundert, Netherlands to Auvers-Sur-Oise, in France. Amsterdam is also home to a famous illuminated cycle-path inspired by “The Starry Night”. The path was constructed using thousands of stones modified by special technology enabling them to illuminate the path at night, resembling the stars from the famous painting. A cycling tour was organized to take visitors through Van Gogh’s past, visiting five towns and including stops at his former school and where his parents once lived.
Events are also being held in the French town of Auvers-Sur-Oise, where Van Gogh died. His descendants laid a huge wreath of sunflowers on his grave, which is open to the public. In addition, the room in Auberge Ravoux where he spent his final days is also available for public viewing.
Van Gogh was unappreciated while alive, spending most of his life in poverty. He is alleged to have shot himself on July 27, 1890 and died nearly 29 hours later. He had suffered from mental illness for much of his life. His last words were reported to be “the sadness will last forever”.
